spinquilt

Snow

2012-01-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

Okay so we have had snow the last two days ........ Saturday it was heavy wet snow and last night it was dry powder snow so today we had VERY slippery conditions.

Jill and Elizabeth come every morning but today they aren't coming. Jill is feeling terrible cold/flu thing and her car is not good in the snow. I think Murphy told her I was taking down the rest of the Christmas stuff and would like some help. I wish Murphy had left with "NotMe" and "IDon'tKnow".

So I have boxes and paper and stuff every where. For some reason spring cleaning occurs in January in our house hold.

I am making wee socks and working on quilts to relax but nothing is progressing at a great rate. I am also working on a new knitted vest for my baby brother.

Feeling better

2011-12-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

I was feeling much better by my Birthday, Thank Goodness ........................ who wants to be ill on their Birthday. Had Cake at knit night that Doris made . Oh my gosh but it was good. Doris also made me the most beautiful silk scarf with beads. I will try to get a photo up soon. Jill and the girls came over on my Birthday and made dinner so that was a lovely present, DH gave me a gorgeous Amber necklace. I had Birthday wishes from my son and his wife as well as phones calls from all my siblings. Still have a couple of Birthday celebrations to come.

Monday we all had dinner at Cory and Aaron's to celebrate her Birthday. Aaron bought her new gold earrings and a Chihuahua puppy. It is white and very cute. They now have three dogs.

I am madly knitting things for Christmas. Who knows if I will be done in time.................... it would be novel ........................ I am usually late with things.

This week is the week to put up the Christmas tree and I am going to try and put some lights up outside.

Darn it

2011-12-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

I am sick ..................... I have this cold flu thing and had to cancel quilting and a dinner party. I have spent the best part of the last 2 days in bed sleeping. The Mistress of Mayhem and Ms Chaos have been here. Ms Chaos has been very quiet and well behaved lately but the Mistress of Mayhem has left the usual trail
behind.
I can't afford to be ill, as the place starts to look like a disaster. I got DD to help me take out the garbage that was over running the house and I managed to do a few dishes before I played out.
My Christmas knitting and quilting is not progressing very well so people may get partially finished presents with notes that say return to sender if you would like this finished.
That is all for today ................ I need a nap.

Voldemort, Hairy and Squeekers the Wonder Pig

2011-11-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness they have gone home. They arrived Saturday Morning as Jill's apartment building was being sprayed for fleas and they were supposed to go home that night ............................... NO THEY WERE STILL HERE SUNDAY AND MONDAY............................. I really don't like rodents and no matter what Shelby says Guinea Pigs are rodents.

Well I haven't done much around the house lately ................ not news. I have been knitting for Christmas and no I am not going to show you photos until after December 25th. You can see the cowl I have finished for me

This pattern is called "the Willow Cowl" by Amelia Lyon. I used Regia sockyarn for this cowl and it took ALL of 2 balls.

I did get up at 6:45 and did some dishes, picked up from Captain Chaos's last visit and unplugged the vacuum ................... Not from the wall but removed the large plug of dog hair and dust that was blocking the hose .......... Why is it always in the most difficult place to clear out. So I unscrew the handle from this swiffer thing I don't use and grab a fondue fork from the kitchen ............... pull the hose end out the the machine and stick the swiffer handle down the hose ................ yep it is blocked right where the hose joins the machine about 4 -6 inches above the dirt bag ............... keep trying to push the block out ................no luck so this is where the fondue fork comes in. I get down on the floor, put the fork up the hose from the dirt bag connection and I get a wad of dog hair, dirt and a small rock .................. after repeating this procedure a dozen times the blockage is gone. Now I have to get up off the floor. Lets see............what hurts the least today .............. Hands are sore but knees and ankles aren't bad so I am up and off to find the broom that Jill never puts away. I always put it by the back door so I know where it is but she puts it other places so I have to look for it. Hopefully she hasn't put it some where SAFE. (I put the yarn I want for the pot scrubbers somewhere SAFE and now I can't find it.)
So I have found the broom and I sweep up a large dustpan full of dirt and dog hair. The vacuum should work now but the coffee is ready for me and I for it.

Sept. parcel

2011-11-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

I received this in the bookmark swap in Sept. The Pot holders in the background are the best I have ever used. I need to fine the pattern for these and make some for gifts.

This parcel arrived in the mail today. Lots of treasures from Sally. I will probably have to fight Shelby off for the Pez. The dispenser is a vampire bat...........
I love the little fabric halloween bag she made me as well as the very cute wee sock. Opening the parcel was great fun as everything was wrapped in bright orange tissue paper.

The other side of the little sock has a witch button. Notice the cute little bat earrings!!!

These are socks I am knitting from yarn that was on sale at Micheal's .......... do you believe $.79 a ball.

I picked up extras for the Knit Night Gals. There was also an orange/brown yarn on for the same price.

This is the Bandana Cowl by Purl Soho. It is free on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bandana-cowl ( I did try to put the link in properly but the %$*^%$ Computer is not cooperating with me today.) It is an easy pattern and knits up quickly.

Jill and Elizabeth were here this morning for Breakfast. We still have their dog as Shelby is coming after school to get the dog and hopefully her laundry.................... She and her Mother are having issues about several things and this is one of them. Apparently if she doesn't take her laundry home and put it away by Friday I am to give it away or maybe Jill is going to give it away. It is not like this child has any lack of clothes but I think these are her favorite clothes.

Parcel arrived today from my Wendy sister. It contained the things Shelby left behind in Ft. St. John and a genealogy thing for me.

Well there you are TWO days in a row. That is almost a record for me............... or will be if I post again tomorrow.

Yes I know

2011-11-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

I know that it has been 2 months since I wrote anything. Yes I have been busy. October was very busy with a weekend in Whistler with the ABBA gals, a spinning retreat in Cache Creek and a quilting retreat in Surrey.
Jill and the Baby come for Breakfast every morning and Shelby comes on the days she doesn't have school. Needless to say I don't get much done in the mornings. I have had the flu for the last few days and
missed quilting with Jackie and Wednesday night Knitting at the pool hall. I have been trying to knit an easy cowl and have frogged at least four times. My brain is not functioning well. I am feeling better so will hopefully be back to NORMAL Soon.

I have had two lovely parcels in the mail. One from a bookmark swap and one from a wee sock swap.

I of course was late mailing my parcels, so being in a hurry I forgot to take photos.

That's it for now. I need to go have a nap. Details later.

Vacation photos

2011-09-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

August 23, 2011

Jill, Shelby, Elizabeth and I went to Ft St John to celebrate my Wendy Sister's 60th Birthday and to visit with family. We put approximately 2,500 kilometers on the car. It took 2 days to drive up and 2 days to return as we had to make frequent stops for the children, especially the baby. Jill helped with the driving so I did get a break from that so I could knit. I am knitting socks for Bill and Aaron for birthday presents

At the Hospital

My Niece Koren and her new baby Quinn (1 day old) in the hospital.

A day on the river. Jim took us out on the Peace River up as far as Site C where a new dam may be built. Saw Rene's old ranch house and the mesa where he held the branding parties. Went a little ways up the Pine river and then down the Peace to where we could see John and Janine's house. Also passed under the railway bridge. When we first moved to Ft St John we had to cross on the railway bridge as the car bridge was out.

The mighty Peace River

Shelby and Jill

Captain Jim

First Mate Janice and Grand Niece Elizabeth

Playing in the park for a little while.

At John and Janine's House

Main entrance - opens into the "Mud Room".

Fireplace in the living room

Living Room

Dining room off the living room

Kitchen- notice the copper ceiling. This was taken from the dining room.

This is the office with the quilted wall hanging I made showing the front of the house.

Stairway to the Loft bedroom and bath

John ............. WITHOUT A HAT!!!!!!

Bama prints on the wall and a Hand stitched Hetterite quilt they had commissioned .

close up of the stitching

There is applique on this quilt. It is done in a light beigy/ecru colour.

Visiting this springs foal and their dames

Elizabeth riding the Stallion Rum Runner. Shelby said he was too big to ride.

View of the river from the house

Jason and Navenda's house

Jasper Jade ( about 1month) lying on the quilt I made her.

Booker and Bailey-"Can we come in?"

Jason showing off Booker who weights 90 pounds. Janice has seen it before.

Mom and Baby JJ

Wendy and Bob's house

A bad photo of the family at the party. I hope some one else got a better photo

Birthday cake if you didn't know that............ VBG

I stole the babies.

Shelby feeding Quinn

I am sewing the last of the labels on the quilts. This photos is for Dotty.

4 of 5

I smile because you are my sister. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.

According to Wendy and Bob, Elizabeth is the loudest baby they ever met.

I made this quilt for Wendy so she could wrap her grandkids in it or let them play on it on the floor. The backing is Shrek fabric so when the kids are bad I told her to have the ogre showing and not the lovely bright colours.

Quinn on the quilt I made for him.

Tristan on his "I Spy " quilt that I made for him.

Elizabeth and Tristan checking out the pictures on the quilt

Mike and Koren with the Wedding quilt I made for them. Yes Dotty there is a label.

Sunset on Charlie Lake from the deck.

Time to go home

Leaving Janice and Jim's house.

"On the road again"

Looking down the road

Chetwynne

some of the damage in the Pine Pass

Fraser River

Arrived home about supper time on Wednesday, tired but happy.

Mud, slugs and other bugs

2011-09-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2011

Well Cory came over Thursday and Friday to help Jill and I with the back yard. We got the knee high grass mowed , garden weeded, Bill's stuff moved into the Garage, the back porch cleared off, ply wood on the deck, bark mulch around the garden, seating area under the trees, deck made for the playhouse,

Bar-B-Q moved off the porch, and a truck load of stuff to go to the dump on the back driveway.

We didn't get the front lawn or porch done but the flowers are all planted.

Now I need to take pictures of the finished effort.

One onion and an Oak tree

2011-07-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

This week I planted flowers in the new flower bed that my neighbor helped me build. I went out to admire it this morning........................ I mean it started out as a hole in the ground from when Bill parked a motor home there. So then I looked the "vegetable garden"..............................I never got around to planting it again this year................................ so it isn't really a vegetable garden. Other than the weeds the only thing growing there is one onion and an Oak tree. Does the Oak tree count as a weed as i didn't plant it there and weeds are defined as "Plants that are growing where you don't want them." Now does anyone in their right mind want an Oak tREE GR6W5NG 5N THE (excuse the spelling the baby was "helping") garden to shade all the vegetables. Now the question is should I just leave that over grown patch of weeds and dig it up next spring or should I dig it up now. It is rather late to plant now,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,mind you I could always buy plants from the garden centre............. would like to add more herbs but they are asking ridiculous prices for the annuals.......................... decisions, decisions, decisions.

Life and other things

2011-07-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well things seem to be sort of returning to normal or at least what is normal for us. The baby is having a "snit fit" at the moment but I think she needs a nap. It would also help if her older sister didn't bug her.

I am trying to work on quilts but things are not progressing as quickly as I would like. There are people here a lot. The weather is not cooperating so I am not getting the outside work done. The grass was out of control and the back porch is full of "STUFF". Most of the "STUFF"is going to live somewhere else.
At least that is the plan..................... but plans around here don't always go as we would like.

I don't have much to say here other than I am still in the land of the living. I still seem to be recovering from 2 months of 24 hour baby care and 2 weeks of severe respiratory infection............... for some reason I don't seem to bounce back as quickly as I used to. Some one told me it is because of my AGE............
IMAGINE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!

Life goes on

2011-06-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well DD is doing very well. She feels better than she has in years so I guess the heart problem was causing more problems than we knew.

I have been away for 4 days. Four of us did the Western Washington Shop Hop. Tracey couldn't come because of family events but we took her with us in spirit.

Margaret, Karen, Tracey, Lisa, Jocelyn

We had a wonderful time and bought all kinds of fabric, drank wine in the evening, soaked in the hot tub in the hotel and laughed so much I had to take my asthma inhaler. It was so nice to get away and forget our problems. Time with friends is very important and precious. Margaret is the driver, I navigate, lisa and Jocelyn sat in the back seat and were in charge of snacks and garbage disposal. Every evening we would have show and tell so we could show off our purchases.

bought fabric for a quilt for my Son-in-law, two baby quilts (not saying for whom), fabric that was supposed to go with the spinning fabric Dotty gave me but......................................... I somehow got side tracked .................... I don't know how that happened ........................and it is a knitting quilt for me.

I wasn't buying any more Dragon or Chicken fabric ..................... yeah right.............. there are some things that I just can't resist. Then there is the Chocolate fabric that only Jocelyn was able to resist. Even Tracey who wasn't really with us, was unable to resist the Chocolate Challenge. We all have the same fabrics and the challenge is to make something with them before the next Shop Hop. Usually we only buy the feature fabric and every one adds their own fabric to it. It will be very interesting to see how this

challenge turns out.

Fabric from Margaret.

Dragon fabric I wasn't going to buy

Labels to go with the fruit and vegetable fabrics

Chicken fabric I wasn't going to buy.

For my friend

Baby quilt fabric

Football fabric

Knitting Sheep fabric

Baby quilt fabric

Chocolate Challenge Fabric

Well tonight is Knit Night at the Pool Hall and I
better go make some dinner and get changed. The site is not letting me add photos so I will try again later.
I participated in a wee sock swap and the theme was the Little Mermaid. This is what I received from Margie

This is what I sent.

I think it was a train...............

2011-05-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well the girls moved home for 2 days 2 weeks ago and then they came back. After a week of Dr. appointments, lab tests and multiple trips to the emergency plus other things that would be more information than you want to know, it was decided Jill had a kidney infection. She is now feeling much better and they have been home every night for the past week.

Wednesday the train hit me.............. not literally .................. my head is infected ..........sinuses, eyes, ears , throat................. I am coughing up yellow stuff and my asthma is joining in .................. the crisis must be over .......... I am falling apart. Friday the Dr put me on 2 weeks antibiotics and 1 week prednisone.
I don't like prednisone but he said "take it or end up in the hospital next week". What a choice........ guess I'll take the stuff.

I missed Knitting and I don't know if I will be up to going this coming week. My Adult surprise Jacket is finished except for hiding the ends, blocking and buttons............... Maybe DRAGON buttons.

That's my effort for today.

there is a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully it is not a train

2011-04-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Last night Jill and the girls spent the night at their house and all went well. We have agreed that she will spend one night there and one night here for the next little while. Last night I went to bed at 8:30 and got up at 9:30 this morning. I had a really good sleep but was so stiff I could hardly move.

I actually got some knitting done this morning. The other day I found a sweater coat in the second hand shop for $5.00. It is wool and acrylic but has a really nice feel. I dismantled it and am knitting "The Tea Leaves Cardigan" by Melissa LaBarre, for me. I have almost finished my Adult Surprise Jacket, just have to finish the sleeves. Wonder of wonders I may get to wear it before the weather is too warm.

The girls are back now and the baby is checking everything out as usual. Shelby split take-out food all over the living room carpet with the help of the baby. As Shelby said " FORTUNATELY we have the dogs." So much for Charlie's diet.

This is it for today due to a rather non-functioning brain.

A GRANDMOTHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM

2011-04-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well my DGD who is fascinated with Japan wants to find a Grandmother Exchange Program with Japan. That way she can have a Grandmother to teach her Japanese and I can learn to make very fancy Kimonos.
Her plan is that I make these kimonos and sell them for $3,000 each to raise enough money so we can all go to Japan. After that she is planning on Disney Land. I apparently don't have any say in this...............
Yesterday I took all the Girls to their Neighbour's house and I went to a retirement party. Margaret picked me up and then the sneaky woman paid for my drinks and e had a great time and laughed and laughed and laughed..............

THE DOG ATE MY MORPHINE

2011-03-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't blogged in the last month because my life has been too hectic. One of my Girlfriends had a heart attach, Jill had her surgery and she and the girls have moved in. We now have Bill, Myself, Jill with here broken chest (the surgery was a success), a ten year old with ATTITUDE , a eight month old Drama Queen, an older cocker spaniel and a 9 month old puppy.
Both the baby and the puppy are teething ........................ the baby likes to chew the dog toys and the puppy likes to chew things like Bill's $150 Cpac mask, my inhaler, Anul Likeit, computer cords. We have a kennel to put the dog in but she managed to open the zippers so we closed them with safety pins ....................... she managed to open the pin .......................... the paper clip got bent open ....................... this was the time she chewed Jill's pill bottle with her time released morphine. We came home to find the mess................. vomit on the carpet ................. a very subdued puppy and 13 missing pills. Fortunately she threw up and got rid of most of the medication but it was a couple of days before she was back to her bouncey self.
Today was "Take Jill to appointments day" so we put the dog in the kennel and padlocked it shut.............. after all the appointments we came home to find the puppy had torn the mesh windows on the kennel and again was free to roam and chew.

My Quilting is not progressing at all and my knitting very little.................... oh oh baby calling

update

2011-02-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well Sharon has been after me again to update this blog. I really do have a good reason for not blogging. Every morning Jill arrives with the baby ( and Shelby if it is the weekend). I have been helping her with the baby so she can get some rest as her heart problem makes her very tired. The surgery is now booked for March 15th. This is the third appointment she has been given so "third time lucky" .................... right. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the hospital booking clerk to no avail but I know have a better idea how the system doesn't work ................. the problem with this date is that I will have to miss the quilting retreat as Jill will be home with us and will need major help with the baby. I can live with this as long as it means Jill is better.
Then Shelby comes home from school sick.......... sore throat, runny nose, cough ................... and wonder of wonders she shared it with her Mother and the baby. Now I have sick family coming everyday and things are going okay until Friday. I wake up with a sore throat.............. then the baby is so sick she can't hardly cry. Bill who worries more than Jill and I wanted the baby to go to emergency. So guess who goes to emergency ................if you thought it was Bill YOU ARE WRONG............ the girls refuse to allow him to go to emergency with them. He is sure his family member's condition is more serious than anyone else so he grabs the first Dr he sees and demands they look at his family member first.

So 4 hours in emergency on a Friday night to find out what Jill and I knew in the first place.................. the baby has a head cold. Mind you it was nice to have our thoughts confirmed.............. isn't it always but it would have been nice if it hadn't taken FOUR HOURS.
So now we are all sick except Bill. Hopefully he won't get it because he is really miserable when he is sick .................... in more ways than one.

One of the other things that happened is a long time friend of mine had a heart attack. She was in hospital for 3 or 4 days then decided she should go home even though the Dr. wanted her to stay one more day............. Next morning her DH had to take her back into emergency where they kept her over night. I am still annoyed with her for not taking better care of herself.

THE ROOM
Jill and I have been working on the ROOM with help for Dottie one day and it is starting to look like I may actually be able to sew in there. Still have to clear off the cutting table and the sewing machine table. There is also a few things on the floor that need a home............................ somewhere I am sure there is a place for them. The problem is that it may not be in this house...........

My Adult Surprise Jacket is progressing but is still not finished. I had to dye some more yarn for it but it is getting close to finished so I keep working away at it. I will probably get it done just in time for spring when it is too warm to wear the Jacket........
Well that;s it for today other than I am going to have to miss knitting tonight at the Pool Hall.

Parcel in the mail

2011-01-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

I received my Sock Scrimmage parcel today from Susan, member of "Society of Knitting". Along with the lovely little sock there was a skein of yarn in Turquoise, candy, and two cute bird buttons. It came in a Quaker Oats container as their mascot was the man on the box.
This is Elizabeth in the hat I made her. Shelby says it looks like a old homeless lady's hat. Elizabeth seems to like it so that is what matters.

Can you believe it

2011-01-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

I am posting again..................... what is that .................... 3 days this week??? Anyone in shock out there? Went to knitting last night and took the camera so I could get photos of Gail and I working on each others wee socks for Sock Scrimmage. Took the last photo today just before I mailed it off to Susan in Oregon. Bill even knit 11 stitches for me. He had never knit before and the very small needles were a challenge but he caught on quickly. This Sock Scrimmage has been fun, rather like a scavenger hunt.

This is Bill knitting on my wee sock. His hands are so big they almost engulf the needles.

Gail knitting on my wee sock. That is Tammy giggling beside her and in the background is Gladys. We haven't seen her in so long we told her we weren't sure we even remembered her!!!!!!
That is Gail's wee sock that I am finishing and Dotty is giggling in the background. There was a lot of giggling going on but I don't remember why.
t Sharon (in red) and Laura both knitting socks. That is Kathy in the background.
The above photos are from Knit Night at the Pool Hall last night. Below is my wee sock at the Port office just before I mailed it.

Clever me ................ I forgot to take a photo of just the sock for my records. Maybe I can re-size the one from the Post Office.

Most days Jill comes over in the mornings after she drops Shelby off at school. If we are not up she will make the coffee for me. This morning she made coffee and brought me a cup when it was ready but it was really, really weak.................................... like there was a faint hint of coffee and it looked like tea............... She forgot to put the coffee in the pot, just filled up the water and turned the machine on. I think things are getting to her. At 10:00 she went off for her appointment at the Lab to get the Holter monitor put on. She wears it for 24 hours and keeps track of her activities. This will tell them if she has any atrial fibrillation. The surgeon wants to know this as he can do something about it when she has her open heart surgery next month. Elizabeth stayed with me and we had a good time. She laughs now and it is a lovely sound. For a change the baby went to sleep very easily just before Jill came back. Jill opens the door ................ Lita starts barking...............Charlie and Princess join in ............................ baby is NO LONGER ASLEEP. ........................ Fortunately we didn't have Bill yellin "SHUT UP "as loud as he can.I am not sure why he continues to do this as the dogs don't listen and he has just increased the noise level a million decibels ( I am sure that is the right number ........... no exaggeration ). Shortly after this Bill got up and went out; Jill and Elizabeth left; I went to the Post Office and then came home to nap.

Naps are such a lovely luxury and I can have one when ever I want.................... well almost when ever I want.

SNOW

2011-01-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Well we had 2-3 inches of snow last night but then it started raining and we now have slush. It is so disappointing as I didn't get to do any sledding. On the other hand it means the Gals will come to knitting tonight. Usually the lower mainland shuts down if we get any amount of snow because most people don't seem to know how to drive in the type of snow we get (wet and very slippery).

Terry Fox statue in front of the Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam,BC

Update on the Wee Sock Scrimmage:- I have a photo of my sock with a local landmark and a stranger.
I still have a few more photos to post for extra points.

Just an update about the Poopy day, that evening Shelby phoned me to say her Mum was throwing up and would I come over. Jill was fine when I arrived but I stayed for a while and went home about 9:00.

Jill was planning on weaning the baby before her heart surgery but the baby is weaning herself. She hates to go to sleep and connects breast feeding with going to sleep because Jill lies down with her to nurse when Elizabeth is sleepy. She also doesn't like it when you lay her down on your lap or in your arms. She gets mad and just screams........................... who would think a six month old would have a temper like that.

A poopy day

2011-01-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

Well Jill arrived this am with the baby and Shelby's dog Princess. Princess had apparently eaten something she shouldn't have like some of Shelby's prawns. This gave her diarrhea so she needed a bath to get the poop off her backside. Then while trying to lick herself dry we think she ingested a bit of the shampoo as she threw up all over one of the couch cushions. Jill cleaned this up but not well enough to suit Charlie who sleeps on the back of the couch and pretends he is a watch dog. He wanted to get down but the wet cushion was on his side of the couch...............he walks along the top of the couch back until he is over the other cushion and then gets down.

Now the baby is fussing because she has poopy pants. If you have had children you know the diaper that didn't hold everything so the pants and shirt have poop up the back of them. The baby is changed all is well we thought ....................... not really because Princess just threw up on the carpet.

Lida is wanting to go out so Jill takes all three dogs for a walk while I look after the baby who is hungry again. This of course is followed by poopy diaper............. the baby thinks that this is a major accomplishment and is very pleased with herself. I change the grinning baby, meanwhile Jill and the dogs come back.

I can still smell poop so am looking around and discover Charlie has had a problem. There is a big glob of poop in the hair under his tail. After assessing the situation Jill and I decide that we need to use the scissors before the bath. She holds, I clip and pretty soon we have a pile of poop and poopy hair on the ground and Charlie is in the shower. Now Charlie doesn't like to have a bath so I decided a shower would be the answer. At least he stays in the tub for the shower............... I, on the other hand, am not any dryer than when I give him a bath. ...................................This means I am soaking wet. Now I have to dry a very wet, very hairy ........ no make that a very furry dog who would rather wander around the house shaking himself dry............................ for some strange reason Bill objects to this method of dog drying.

Jill goes to pick up Shelby from school. They come back to our house so Shelby can knit 10 stitches on my sock scrimmage sock. She is a little intimidated by the four tiny needles but did manage to knit ten stitches. She even picked up a stitch that she dropped. After she knit her stitches she wanted her Mum to take a photo of Elizabeth "Knitting".

This requires a lot of intense concentration.

This is a very small, very serious knitter.

This is my wee sock riding in the car to the Pharmacy we use.

Tomorrow I will take a photo of the sock at a local landmark.
Also I hope Bill will knit 10 stitches for me. Then Wednesday night Gail and I will knit on each others socks.

time to catch up

2011-01-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

This is the last of the Christmas knitting. A cowl for Cory and the pattern is my own. It is a knit 2, purl 1 rib until I wanted to widen the bottom. I increased in the purl sections until I had enough stitches to do the 2/1 rib again. This is my handspun yarn.
Now I can knit something for ME. Maybe finish one or three of the three pairs of socks I have started or work on one of the many shawls I want to do .
December is a very busy month for us. We have three Birthdays, one anniversary (now 2) and Christmas.
We celebrated Cory's Birthday and mine at our house and Jill made us a lovely dinner. The photo below is one of the highlights of the day ..................
a new version of the Three Monkeys.

This was part of my gift from Cory and Aaron. They thought I needed a distinctive glass for my wine.

We celebrated Brianne's Birthday when she came over on December 27.
Our Son and his finance arrived Dec 23 and we had a great visit with them. He hasn't been home for about 6 years so we were really happy to see him. I had met Liz before as had Cory but not the rest of the family. Everyone really liked her so she has the family seal of approval.

Here the 2 Elizabeths are getting to know each other. They are both full of mischief so they should get along well together.

The older one married our son Che December 31 in Vegas so there are now two Elizabeth Bonters in the family..................DOUBLE TROUBLE ......
if I ever saw it.

We did try to get a family photo but they all turned out rather .....................I don''t know what to say about them................. We all posed and Jill would set the time delay on the camera and then run for the couch. This is the best of the 8 or 10 we took............ I think I need to figure out how to combine the photos so we have the best of each of us in the final photo. I wonder when I might get around to that??????

This photo is of my three lovely Granddaughters.

The hairy creature on Shelby's lap is her new puppy, 6 months old and ....................... Lucky Jill has a teething baby and a teething puppy, both of whom chew anything and everything they can.
So far she needs to replace a computer cord and a video cord compliments of Princess the Puppy.

My son who we are very proud of and who has more gray hair than I do ................ premature graying runs in my Dad's side of the family and all my Children seemed to get that gene. Let me assure you that they are not pleased with me for passing on that gene ........................ but then there have been other things in the past that they haven't been pleased about either. AAAAAAAHHHH the joys of raising children .................. the only thing is it is so hard to get an "OH MUM" out of them anymore. Cory says the only way I could shock them now is to act normal............. I ask you "Is that a nice thing to say about your Mother".

Some of the family got some very strange things for Christmas as seen below. That is a soother in her mouth.

This lovely girl is our step granddaughter. Cory's husband Aaron is her father so we get to add her to our family. Oh Yes now that Liz is an official family member we have 2 more step granddaughters plus 2 step great grandchildren ....... one girl and one boy. Neat hey...........

One of the crazy knitting groups I belong too is on Ravelry (an internet site for knitters and crocheters) swaps wee tiny socks. This month we are doing things a little different. We are in teams and having a "Wee Sock Scrimmage". Here are the rules

Partners assigned 2-jan-11, mail by 20-jan-11
Use an official Sock Scrimmage pattern.
Use minimum one color from your team.
Send a list of points earned with your sock.
A flag on the play: -5 per day late mailing.
Icing -20 if you use an unofficial pattern
Bonus points: in general, each bonus counts once per sock.
Touchdown (5): When both socks are received.
End Run (5) both team colors in 1 sock.
Extra End (5): send your mascot
Double Pass (10): both team members work on one sock.
Handoff (10): Child knits.
Heavy Ice (10): Adult male knits.
Naked bootleg (5-15): handspun - 5, your own - 15
Red dog (5-15): handdyed - 5, your own - 15
Fair catch (5): LYS yarn.
Field Goal (5): Earliest postmark
Inward double (5): mini skein in receiver’s favorite color
Traveling camel spin (5): surprise inspired by a post
Grubber (5): Photo with mail carrier.
Ruck (5): Photo with landmark.
Salchow (5): Photo on transportation.
Lead pass (5): Photo with stranger.
Reverse somersault (5): Photo with animal.
Hat trick (5): 3 photos.

This is our mascot next to the yarn I dyed for the wee sock I am making. I dyed this with food colouring and vinegar as a mordant. There are 2 shades of green as those are the two colours we have chosen for our team colours. Gail likes dark green and I like in-your-face neon green. Our green mascot is a Dragon Jill and Shelby gave me. Please note that she is a knitting Dragon........ .......... I mean really what else would you expect from a knitting team mascot. I don't believe you can tell but she is knitting a wee sock.
This is the yarn I spun from the fleece. At this time it is growing into a wee sock using a pattern called "Gwee".
Rule 24 was a photo of the sock with an animal so I decided to take a photo of it with Charlie. I put the sock knitting on his paws................ he sniffed it and then looked at me as if to say"THIS ISN'T FOOD" what is it doing here. He did pose for me to take the photo. That's it for now but I will try to write more frequently this year.

A New Year

2011-01-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

I haven't written anything for about a month but December is hectic with three Birthdays, Christmas and now 2 Anniversaries. Our son was married December 31, 2010 to a lovely woman.

I will add details later but right now I have to add a photo of Gail and My mascot for the Wee Sock Scrimmage this month . She hasn't got a name yet.

Home

2010-12-07T22:04:00.001-08:00

We are back from the Island, Bill's appointment went well. We had a nice visit with family and now we are home but tired............................... that's it.

It's Decembeer

2010-12-06T00:13:00.000-08:00

Life is very busy but I am no longer Babysitting everyday...................... Now I need a few days of recovery. Teething babies who take 20 minute naps require a lot of time. Tomorrow is a speedy trip to the Island. Bill has an appointment with a specialist in Victoria and from there we are going to Duncan so see Mum and Frank then home on Tuesday. Jill, Shelby and Elizabeth are going with us as Gran hasn't seen her new Great Grand-daughter...............
I will take my knitting as I am still working on my Christmas knitting................... what else is new. Every year in January I vow to start Christmas knitting in September and every year guess what happens ..........
....................... Nothing that helps with Christmas knitting. Maybe I should start in January.

Well I have been knitting from my stash for the gifts this year so that is good. A few weeks ago I was looking for a specific yarn and found a filing box full of sock yarn that I had forgotten I had................ now I need to knit more socks as DH wants another pair and wonders of wonders the "they're nice Grandma but I wouldn't wear them" DGD Shelby wants a pair. Now to get her to decide on what yarn she wants.

Today

2010-11-29T23:42:00.000-08:00


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This wonderful parcel arrived in the mail today. It was my parcel from Auchgan (Holli) and the theme was Hansel and Gretel. I pulled a large bag out of the mailing envelop and this was what I saw. ................... all kinds of goodies.

When I unwrapped everything I found many lovely things not just the wee socks. There was a cooking kit for Shelby and I to do together. A lovely card, chocolate, candies, candle, a witch, house ornament , paper decorations, and other things.

There were TWO socks one for Hansel and one for Gretel. There was a little bag with a bird button and inside was another bag with four very cute "Ginger Bread "stitch markers.

This is the witch, her house and the gingerbread stitch markers. She is too cute to be a scary witch.

The little one and her Mum were here today but Elizabeth was not her usual cherry self. She is cutting teeth and chews on everything with in reach. She is fun to watch anyway. The latest thing is she has discovered her toes and likes to hold on to them.

Her big sister Shelby was very happy today and got lots of smiles from the baby. Tomorrow they come again for the day. it is wonderful to see the baby grow and learn.